Castelnuovo Scrivia: Culture, History and Nature

Castelnuovo Scrivia brings together a range of attractions for your trip: the history of the Museo civico, religious buildings dating from several centuries, historic architecture and a protected natural area along the Scrivia. There is also a traditional market and a longer mountain bike loop. This gives you the opportunity to choose the focus of your stay without reducing culture, landscape or activities to a single period or theme.

Museum and architectural history

The Museo civico di Castelnuovo Scrivia was officially founded in 1987. It houses archaeological finds dating from the Stone Age to the Roman period. The collection also includes 18th-century maps, parchments, 15th-century statutes, antique weapons, 17th-century votive offerings and wrought-iron works. It therefore spans everything from early archaeological finds to written and craft evidence from different centuries. If you are interested in different forms of historical records, you will find several types of objects and documents side by side here.

The churches can also be distinguished by their architectural histories. The Parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo dates back to the 12th century and was rebuilt between the 16th and 17th centuries. The Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio was built in 1600 and has an imposing adjoining college. The Chiesa dei Santi Cosma e Damiano represents a different period: this religious building dates from the 18th century and has a convex Baroque façade. These examples range from medieval origins and early modern renovations to the Baroque period.

Palaces, gates and historic houses

Palazzo Centurione on Via Garibaldi is an impressive example of 17th-century Genoese architecture. At the beginning of the road to Molino dei Torti stands the large Arco seicentesco. It is one of the five gates—Zibide, Molina, Strad’Alzano, Gualdonasce and Tavernelle—that provided passage through the city walls. The gates and the palazzo offer different insights into historic architecture: one is part of a city wall, while the other is an example of a 17th-century architectural style.

The 15th-century houses include the Case quattrocentesche on Via Fornasari and Via Marguati. Casa natale di Matteo Maria Bandello stands in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. The Chiesa di San Rocco also contributes to the town's cultural heritage: the San Desiderio brotherhood restored it, and its splendid interior is rich in works of art. Together, these buildings show how many different historical points of interest can be found alongside the better-known churches and museum.

Nature and mountain biking

The Riserva Naturale di Castelnuovo Scrivia is a protected natural area on the right bank of the Scrivia. It provides a distinct point of interest alongside the town's architectural and collection history. For an active trip, the MTB SCRIVIA is another option: this approximately 60-kilometre mountain bike loop runs between Castelnuovo Scrivia and Cassano Spinola, following the bed of the Scrivia. Its approximate length and two endpoints give you concrete details to help plan your trip. Since route conditions may change, check them before setting out.

Market in November

The Fiera dar Carsént is traditionally held every 1 November in Castelnuovo Scrivia's medieval square. The market is dedicated to food and products from the local area and the surrounding parts of the Bassa Valle Scrivia. As a clearly defined event in the calendar, the market differs from the permanent buildings and the loop route. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the dates for the year you intend to visit.

Discover more destinations: Gavi, Alfiano Natta, Montecapraro, San Giuliano Vecchio, Montaldo Bormida, Carrosio, Sanico, Capriata D'orba

For the broader travel overview: Alessandria.